The 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Bill: A Disaster in the Making

THEY ARE VOTING ON THIS MOTHER OF ALL GOVERNMENT SPENDING PACKAGES ON WEDNESDAY JANUARY 28, 2009

I think this so called stimulus package is an outrage and an assault on our freedoms. To me it amounts to taxation with insane representation. Each dollar the government spends comes from where? US.  We are getting yet another "bail out" jammed down our throats.

What we hear from sincere, well-meaning people is that "the economy is in trouble and we need to do something"-but throwing money at the problem is not and has never been the answer.

Both Democrats and Republicans need to be held accountable for their irresponsible handling of our money. They can't even tell you how the financial institution are using  the TARP money. They shouldn't be allowed to do what they did with TARP. Even with accountability features in place, we know how well the government runs things. Just look at the miserable job they did with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Free Markets and private enterprise will lead the way out if we let these operate-free of Government intervention.

I am betting there are at least 1/2 of you who will agree with this post and the other half who'll throw flames. I hope the half that agrees will take action today to protest this bill in its present form.

Fear Mongering 

This is what President Obama said: "I don't believe it's too late to change course, but it will be if we don't take dramatic action as soon as possible,"  "If nothing is done, this recession could linger for yearsThe unemployment rate could reach double digits."

The fear mongering among liberals and the President is an excuse to permit the current administration to have it's way with YOUR money and pave the way for their retention of political power.

They are calling this 865 Billion dollar plan a stimulus package. It is government spending, pure and simple. It has been tried before, and it does not work.

The 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Bill, being pushed by President Barack Obama  and his cohorts is suppose to create 4 million jobs and jump-start the larger economy. We have a civilian labor force of 154,000,000. So, all this spending is going to mean an increase of 2.5% in the labor force. Is that worth 865 Billion dollars?

According to the Wall Street Journal, this approach to stimulating the economy is "based on an old, and largely discredited, economic theory. As Harvard economist Robert Barro pointed out on these pages last Thursday, called the Keynesian multiplier, which is that each $1 of spending the government injects into the economy yields 1.5 times that in greater output." There's little evidence to support this theory...If it were true, the government should spend $10 trillion and we'd all live in paradise. (Source: The Wall Street Journal)

Obama wants to use OUR MONEY to build roads and bridges, make public buildings more energy-efficient, renovate of schools, have computers in every classroom; and get rural areas hooked up to the Internet, create green jobs and put workers to work making wind mills. But, they fail to tell us, about all the more pork barrel spending included in this bill.

For Example:

  • $200 million to rehabilitate the National Mall
  • $276 million to fix the computer systems at the State Department
  • $650 million to repair dilapidated Forest Service facilities
  • 50 million outlay for the National Endowment for the Arts
  • Build 3,000 miles of new electric grid
  • Computerize all Americans' health records in five years
  • Weatherize 2.5 million homes,
  • Provide Pell Grants to 7 million college students
  • Protect the health insurance of 8 million Americans who risk losing coverage during the downturn
  • Oh,  and did I forget that they'll be more money to ACORN!

My question to you is are you going to stand by and let these clowns pass this bill?  This stimulus package is designed to promote liberal, Democrat policies and get these fat cats re-elected in 2010. They'll throw pork out there to anyone who'll receive it for votes, so that they can perpetuate their little fiefdom.

According to the CBO, $26 billion - (3 percent) - will be spent this year. Another $110 billion - or 13 percent - will be spent next year. (2010 --an election year) This means that by the time President Obama's term is halfway through, just 16 percent of the money will have been spent.

Does anyone see a problem with the whole process here? Why are they dragging this out in the first place? Because these people are either very misguided, just plain stupid or are only interested in perpetuating their careers.

We need wisdom. We need leaders with character. We need tax cuts. That's what stimulates the economy. That's been proven to work.

Call your representatives today. Let them know that you are opposed to this bill. Here is how to contact our leaders:

"To find your senators' and representative's phone numbers, you may use our searchable online congressional directory or call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202)224-3121 and ask for your senators' and/or representative's office.

Remember that telephone calls are usually taken by a staff member, not the member of Congress. Ask to speak with the aide who handles the issue about which you wish to comment.

After identifying yourself, tell the aide you would like to leave a brief message, such as: "Please tell Senator/Representative (Name) that I oppose " The 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Bill

You will also want to state reasons for your support or opposition to the bill. Ask for your senators' or representative's position on the bill. You may also request a written response to your telephone call."

(the above is from www.congressman.org)

P.S.--I was on a phone conference call with Rep Joe Wilson of South Carolina, on the 27th of January and he is opposed to this Bill. There were 300 on this call, and there were lots of questions and opposition to this bill. Congressman Wilson told us that the bill which is 670 pages, is being hurried through and most have not had enough time to review it in detail. It contains lots of pork. Congressman Wilson introduced a number of alternatives including tax credits for homeowners, a new tax cuts bill, and elimination all wasteful spending-and he was voted down. He encourages all of us to contact all members of congress and tell them to act responsibly.

So, burn up those phone lines in Washington DC

Managing Money And Your Mind: Things you can do to maintain a "Sunny Attitude" in our current economy

The local news promotes one thing. Bad news. Bad news creates bad attitudes and causes us to fear--if we choose to listen, Now is the time to turn off the news and focus on  What matters most to you.Sunny Disposition

Here are four thought-starters for fighting the negative news and surviving the economic cycle.

1. Manage Money Much Better. Brainstorm ways to save money. What can you cut out. Look for ways to supplement your income--a home based business may be ideal (here's one I recommend)

2. Prioritize how you spend time. spending more time with family, with people who are important to you doesn't have to cost money.You place of worship has activities which can involve the whole family, do that instead of going out to a restaurant ot a movie.

3. If you lost your job, never, ever give up looking. Learn how to do job search. Here is a a book I recommend...and it will lead you into a new direction

What Color Is Your Parachute? 2009: A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers

4. Use Prayer and Affirmations. Get a little bible promise book--pray the promises you read and use them as affirmations God's Promises For Your Every Need

Take action. This is the best medicine for overcoming the fears that bad news incites in us. And keep a smile on your face.

How home sellers can reduce the days on the market in Bluffton-Okatie South Carolina

Here are just two major suggestions that can go a long way to helping home sellers reduce the days that their homes remain on the market.

(1) Price your home to sell, not sit.

In mid-December, I listed a home in Rivers End (Okatie). Rivers End is a small subdivision outside of Bluffton in Okatie, where there are about 200 homes. There is new construction north and south--5-7 miles from this home-- at price points that compete with anything in River's End. All along route 170 new construction abounds. Builders are giving all kinds of incentives. This is tough competition for resales.

This is what home sellers in Okatie and Bluffton are up against. Add to that, the fact that this month there are over 119 foreclosures in Beaufort County, South Carolina. That spells more competition for Buyer dollars.

In this particular subdivision, there hasn't been a sale in over 6 months. There are 6 homes for sale currently on our MLS and 3 or so listed  on the Beaufort MLS. There are also three or more FSBO's--one has been on the market for over a year. These homes have been hanging around for one major reason. They are priced above market. In this market, home sellers will not get as much as they think. A Realtor must be a "broker of reality", and give home sellers the truth.

Okatie-Bluffton Home

Home Sellers have to get real and be willing to price their homes at market, not at what they want. In addition, in today's environment, the selling prices of what sold 6 months ago doesn't mean as much as the asking prices of competing homes, now--since asking and selling prices continue to be under pressure. The discount off of asking prices is running about 6%.

(2) Make your home appealing inside and out: Paint it. 

I cannot believe that some home sellers won't lift a finger and go buy a can of paint to brighten the inside and outside of their homes. 

Paint is the lowest cost solution for making a home more appealing. If sellers do nothing else, this is one thing they should consider. Paint. It is amazing what a little paint can do. If you do just this, it will go a long way to helping buyers to buy.

Days on the Market: 40

The main reason our home sold quickly was because our pricing gave buyers a reason to look. Yes, it is a lovely home. Yes, we put our marketing plan into action, but buyers shop by what first? Price. We got an offer on this home before the ink was dry on the listing agreement. However, The buyer's financing fell through. After that, we got 2 calls on our sign, and just two showings and received another offer on January 17 and will close on February 17. Total days on the market from listing to this second contract was about 40 days.

Price it right. Paint it. Do those two things and maybe you won't need to watch all of those How to sell your home TV Shows.

If you have a home to sell in Bluffton or Okatie, call me for a no-obligation, free home selling consultation. If you have missed a mortage payment or two or are in danger of  foreclosure,  don't delay, we  offer loan modification, pre-foreclosure, short sale  assistance and offer free information on this subject.

Call me for a no-obligation, free consultation. 

My cell number is: 843-368-9146.